Lens ReviewMorten Byskov - 5050 TravelogApril 03, 2025Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary Review, Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Review, Sigma 65mm f2 review, Sigma 65mm f2 samples, Sigma 65mm f2 sample images, Sigma 65mm f/2 sample images, Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN review, Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN sample imagesComment

Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary Review

The Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary shown on a Leica SL2-S — Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary, L-Mount, on a Leica SL2-S

The In-Between Focal Length Sigma for L-Mount or Sony E-Mount

It’s not a 50mm!

It’s not a 75mm!

It’s not an 85mm!

It is not a focal length we are all familiar with when discussing a prime lens.

As far as I know, with the 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary lens, Sigma has made a lens that no other manufacturer has braved.

Most photographers will cover this focal length with a standard zoom lens, but it will often be at f/4 or f/2.8, with only a few matching the Sigma’s f/2 max. f-stop if they have opted for Sony’s latest, $2,898.00, FE 28-70mm f/2 GM lens.

So let’s see why this Sigma 65mm DG DN Contemporary lens might be a good option.

Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN shown on a Leica SL2-S — Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary, L-Mount, shown on a Leica SL2-S

Introduction

The Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary has been on the market since early 2021. It is part of Sigma's DG DN Contemporary series of prime lenses.

The Contemporary series lenses are known for portability and good build quality. They are one tier below Sigma’s top-of-the-line Art series lenses.

Sigma DG DN lenses offer an affordable alternative to Sony GM and Leica SL lenses. Currently, the DG DN lenses are available in black, but Sigma recently announced that they will also be available in silver by late 2025. These silver versions of the lenses are made to match the new Sigma BF camera.

Here is a list of current Sigma DG DN Art prime lenses.

17mm f/4 DG DN
20mm f/2 DG DN
24mm f/2 DG DN
24mm f/3.5 DG DN
35mm f/2 DG DN
45mm f/2.8 DG DN
50mm f/2 DG DN
65mm f/2 DG DN
90mm f/2.8 DG DN

When this review was posted, the retail price of the Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary was $699.00.

Evening and neon signs at Sylvia Hotel, Beach Drive, Vancouver. Sample image from a Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary and Leica SL2-S. — Beach Drive, Vancouver, Leica SL2-S, Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary @ f/2

Specs, Handling, and Build Quality

The Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN is a delight for the eyes and touch. In an ideal world, lenses would never be larger or heavier than this. At 14.3 oz (405 g) and measuring 2.8 x 2.9" (72 x 74.7 mm), it provides an ideal balance between camera and lens.

It looks great on my Leica SL2-S, and I see no reason it won’t look the same if you pair it with a Panasonic or Sigma camera. The included metal lens hood feels fantastic and can be reverse-mounted for easy transportation.

Here are some of the key specs:

Available for L-Mount or Sony E-Mount
12 elements in 9 groups, with 1 SLD glass and 2 aspherical lenses
Auto focus stepping motor
Dust- and splash-proof structure
Super multi-layer coating
Aperture ring
Focus mode switch
Magnetic lens cap and metal lens hood
Rounded 9-blade diaphragm
Filter size: 62mm

Flowers at Sunset Beach in Vancouver. Sample image from a Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary and Leica SL2-S. — Sunset Beach, Vancouver, Leica SL2-S, Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary @ f/2

In Action

I am a big fan of the 50mm focal length and prime lenses. Currently, I have four 50mm lenses, which are probably too many. It may be an idea to swap one or two for this Sigma 65mm.

At 65mm, you are zoning in on your topic or scene just a tad more than you would with a 50mm lens, which will include more of the environment around the main subject. Distance to your topic will, of course, play in.

At 65mm, I like that you can concentrate on a topic without getting as much telephoto compression as you usually would begin to see with a typical 85mm lens, for instance.

The autofocus speed was amply fast for the type of images you see in this review.

Morning fog at English Bay in Vancouver. Sample image from a Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary and Leica SL2-S. — English Bay Beach, Vancouver, Leica SL2-S, Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary @ f/3.2

Image Quality

The image quality of the Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN slightly tops that of the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN that I tested in the fall of last year. I am unsure if I am skewed by the longer focal length or great-looking bokeh produced by the 65mm lens, but overall, I found the images more appealing from the 65mm lens.

Sharpness is excellent even when the lens is shot wide open at f/2. The colors look good, and black-and-white conversions are pleasing to my eye.

Please click on the sample images to view sizes up to 2500 pixels, depending on your monitor size, or pinch zoom if you use a mobile phone.

A couple is enjoying the spring sunshine at Dundarave Beach in West Vancouver. Sample image from a Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary and Leica SL2-S. — Dundarave Beach, West Vancouver, Leica SL2-S, Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary @ f/2

Conclusion

The Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN is a well-crafted lens. It is solidly built, and photographers will love the tactile feel of the aperture ring. Some photographers may find this an oddball focal length, while others may find it a breath of fresh air and an interesting challenge.

I found a 65mm lens more suitable for general-purpose photography than an 85mm lens and could see it as a perfect fit for travel, where you focus on the details in a scene without getting too close.

Top view of the Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary, L-Mount, shown on a Leica SL2-S

Another benefit of the Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN is the relatively fast f-stop for a lens this size. At f/2, you can create a fair amount of background blur and make your topic stand out. As opposed to the Sony FE 28-70mm f/2 GM zoom at $2,989.00, you can do this with the Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN at $699.00.

Consider pairing the Sigma 65mm f/2 with one or two Sigma DG DN lenses. The 35mm f/2 or 45mm f/2.8 might be good choices depending on your focal length preference. It could also pair well with a standard zoom. As a stand-alone lens, I would find the Sigma 65mm f/2 too limiting.

The Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary may be an oddball or in-between focal length option, but I enjoyed using it.

Thanks to my friend, Goran, for lending me your lens for a few days for this review.

Price / Availability

Thank you for reading my review. If you are planning a purchase and would like to support us, you can do so, at no additional cost, by using the affiliate link below. A small commission goes to us and helps us keep the wheels turning at 5050 Travelog.

Check the current price at B&H Photo

Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN at B&H Photo

Thank you for being supportive.